Police browned off after bosses ban their sunbeds

POLICE officers are furious after chiefs axed their sunbeds in gyms and social clubs to save on electricity.

Policemen have expressed their fury on the matter/Model posed for picture []

Top brass said they also feared that rank-and-file officers might get skin cancer if they spent too long tanning themselves.

In all, six sunbeds worth £5,000 each will no longer be available for staff with West Yorkshire Police.

One angry constable said: “The bottom line is the force is trying to save money.

“They have not bothered about sunbeds being in sports facilities in the past. It is purely cost cutting. If officers want to use sunbeds they are adults and they know the health risks.” Another officer, who spends half an hour every week on a police sunbed to keep a “healthy glow”, said: “I like having a year-round tan and use the sunbeds just after my shift or first thing in the ­morning.

“To be told they are being removed to save money is rubbish. It only costs around 10p in electricity for a 30-minute session.”

The bottom line is the force is trying to save money

A constable

But another officer said he had “no idea” the facility even existed, adding: “I’m not sure we would even have time to use them with all the cuts.

“You barely have time to grab a sandwich, let alone lounge about on a sunbed.”

West Yorkshire Police, England’s fourth largest force, needs to save £100million by 2014/15.

A spokeswoman said: “While this is an energy saving objective, it is also in line with the recommendations issued by our occupational health department.

“We were advised the sunbeds should be removed because of the risks that come with them.”

Earlier this year West Midlands Police said it was removing 122 ovens from its police stations to help save £50,000 a year in energy costs. Officers will have to use microwaves instead.